Overpowering Emotions: Tools for Child & Teen Anxiety and Resilience

Anxiety in kids and teens doesn’t always look like panic attacks or overt distress. Often, it hides behind stomach aches, perfectionism, or school avoidance. In this episode, I chat with anxiety coach Monica Crnogorac about recognizing the subtle signs of anxiety in teens and understanding how it can manifest. We also discuss practical strategies for: • Supporting teens in managing overwhelming em...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions , I dive back into emotional intelligence (EI) as the foundation for resilience. Discover why teaching kids to recognize and manage their emotions is far more impactful than simply correcting behaviour. I dig even deeper than before, so this will cover a few episodes Today I break down the four branches of EI and share practical strategies to help kids buil...

As this year comes to a close, it is important for kids to reflect on their growth and set meaningful resilience goals for the year ahead. From celebrating small victories to creating intentions that feel manageable and encouraging, I cover actionable ways to support kids in becoming more confident and capable. Tune in for simple strategies to spark important conversations and foster resilience th...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I revisit the foundational elements of raising resilient kids just in time for the holiday season. Learn how to create strong connections with your children through warmth, validation, and intentional interactions. Discover why secure attachments are crucial for emotional regulation and lifelong success and gain actionable tips to strengthen bonds during t...

The holidays can be a mix of joy and stress. In this special episode of Overpowering Emotions, we explore practical ways to strengthen resilience during the busiest time of the year. From setting realistic expectations to practicing gratitude and mindfulness, you’ll discover how to create meaningful moments, manage family dynamics, and build lasting traditions. Learn how to turn holiday challenges...

Today on Overpowering Emotions I recap a key skill in building emotional resilience. A key way to manage emotions during stress, foster mindfulness, and encourage kids to tackle challenges head-on. Learn how to help your children build their resilience toolkit, face unpredictable moments, and embrace growth through adversity. Plus, this week’s reflective homework will help kids recognize how far t...

Today on Overpowering Emotions: Part 2 of why over-focusing on children’s emotions might do more harm than good (recast from the podcast, Parents of the Year ). We also discuss practical strategies for helping kids navigate life’s ups and downs without being overwhelmed by their feelings. Tune in for another insightful conversation on fostering independence and emotional strength in your children....

Today on Overpowering Emotions I decided to recast a two-part series from Parents of the Year where Andrew and I talked about how an overemphasis on children’s feelings might be doing more harm than good. This is part 1. While it’s crucial to acknowledge and respect our kids' feelings, constantly focusing on their emotional states can inadvertently lead to dependency and a lack of resilience....

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions , Caroline welcomes special guest Bridgette Melton, an educator, children's author, and trauma resilience expert, to discuss a unique approach to emotion recognition through auditory awareness. Drawing from her book Arnold's Silent Heart , Bridgette shares how children can learn to recognize and process their emotions by associating them with sounds, offeri...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions , we dive into the brain's natural ability to adapt to stimuli, known as habituation, and how it can be used to enhance positive experiences while managing unpleasant ones. Dr. Caroline Buzanko shares practical tips for breaking up enjoyable moments to boost long-term happiness and for pushing through tough tasks without taking breaks. From handling anxiety...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline is joined by award-winning choreographer and dance educator Leslie Kuny. Together, they explore the connection between structured activities, risk-taking, and resilience in children and teens. Leslie shares her insights on how these activities, like dance, can be transformative, teaching kids to embrace challenges, take healthy risks, and buil...

Perfectionism can silently shape how kids see themselves, and it often starts with the expectations we unintentionally set. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko breaks down how even well-meaning actions can send kids the wrong message, tying their self-worth to performance instead of effort. From focusing too much on results to setting unrealistic behavioural expectations...

Today on #OverpoweringEmotions, Dr. Caroline discusses how parental perfectionism spills over to kids, creating a cycle of anxiety, fear of failure, and unrealistic expectations. Dr. Caroline shares personal insights on recognizing perfectionist tendencies in ourselves, the negative effects on kids, and, most importantly, practical ways to break this cycle. Learn how to model self-compassion, cele...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we continue our journey beyond perfectionism and discuss how to help kids use those perfectionistic, binary, all-or-nothing thoughts to their advantage. I share insights from sports psychology to help kids stop freezing up under pressure and instead focus on what they can control—effort, action, and showing up. Learn how to turn rigid thinking into growth...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline goes deeper into the practical side of overcoming perfectionism with a focus on procedural thinking. She shares actionable steps to help kids break free from the overwhelming need to be perfect by shifting their mindset to “What’s next?” Learn how to guide children through breaking tasks into manageable steps, using reflective questions, celeb...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, we’re tackling the one thing that can completely sabotage a child's mental health. Perfectionism. Today, we explore what it looks like, where it comes from, and how it impacts their emotional well-being. We break down the difference between healthy striving and unhealthy perfectionism, and why it’s so important for children to learn that mistakes are not j...

Today on Overpowering Emotions join Dr. Caroline with special guest Chana Studley, a remarkable figure who transitioned from a Hollywood special effects artist to a leading trauma and addiction counsellor. Chana shares her unique journey from creating illusions in film to unraveling the illusions of the mind, her innovative approach to therapy, and the realization that we are never truly broken. L...

In this concluding episode of this series on managing school avoidance, Dr. Caroline wraps up the school avoidance discussion by focusing on the essential skills students need to acquire and the processes that must be implemented to ensure a successful return to school. If you haven’t yet listened to the previous episodes, be sure to catch up. In those episodes, Dr. Caroline laid the foundation fo...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, I continue part two of this series on school avoidance, focusing on treatment considerations. I emphasize the need for a comprehensive, home- and school-based approach to effectively address the complex needs of students, families, and schools and an optimal environment for students to thrive. Tune in to identify any unaddressed needs that could hinder kids' progres...

Today on Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline discusses a hard topic: school-avoidant behaviours. This is a three-part series, as school avoidance is a complex issue that demands a comprehensive approach. In the first part of this series, Dr. Caroline lays the foundational principles necessary to support students on their journey toward overcoming school avoidance. This issue is more than just a ch...

While it's completely normal for young children to experience separation anxiety, when these feelings persist into the elementary years and beyond, it may indicate a more serious concern. This is particularly true when anxiety starts interfering with everyday activities, such as attending school or socializing with friends. To effectively support your child, it's crucial to avoid common pitfalls l...

Back by popular demand, we're recasting Dr. Caroline's highly-popular episode of Overpowering Emotions focusing on managing back-to-school worries and equipping children for a smooth, confident transition. As the new school year approaches, it's natural for children to feel both excited and apprehensive. Parents often face challenges in helping their kids navigate this period of change. That's why...

As the new school year approaches, ensuring a smooth and confident transition for our children and teens is crucial. In this popular episode of Overpowering Emotions, I provide many practical tips and strategies to support your kids as they navigate the back-to-school season. In this episode, I emphasize the importance of establishing general routines that lay the foundation for a successful schoo...

In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, I look at the critical topic of self-care for children. I explore why self-care is essential for kids and provide practical strategies to help them develop healthy habits. While self-care is often emphasized for adults, it’s equally important for children to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Tune in to learn: The importance o...

Today on Overpowering Emotions I discuss the the critical skills of self-talk and resilient thinking. Building on the previous discussion about managing thoughts through problem-solving, I explore how we can strengthen kids’ emotional resilience. Learn practical strategies to teach your child to be kind to themselves, handle mistakes with grace, and develop a positive, solution-focused, resilient...